Bush seeks $830 million as aid for Pakistan

Washington, Feb 5: US President George W. Bush has sought financial assistance of 830 million dollars for Pakistan. In a statement, the White House said this aid was being sought rom the US Congress is to "sustain our strategic partnership ith Pakistan.

"The US assistance focuses "on security, economic development, and combating terrorism in Pakistan's western frontier regions, the White House said. Bush also has requested $1.1 billion to "help build a stable Afghanistan." Last month, Bush authorised Defence Secretary Robert Gates to provide "with the concurrence of the Secretary of State," 75 million dollars worth of equipment, supplies and training to build the capacity" of the Frontier Corps.

The United States is also considering a proposal to increase the resence of US Special Forces on Pakistani soil in support of the Frontier Corps.

Adm Eric T. Olson, head of Special Operations Command, visited Pakistan last fall and included a stop at the Frontier Corps eadquarters. The US troops, however, will only provide counter-insurgency training to Pakistani troops, particularly those from he Frontier Corps, the Dawn reported.